2/25 was my first score shooting Skeet.
The gun did not fit, I did not have the correct basic fundamentals, and the more I shot that gun, the worse things got, the more I hurt and the faster I wanted to finish the round of 25 shells.
I was about so high, the Earth was still flat, and I had been shooting rim-fire competition, and center-fire rifle competition using a "kid sized' model 70 in '06 with "kid sized" loads.
Iron sights and I was doing great for my size and even beating bigger kids.
Gunny ( one of many I called "Gunny") would set out plugs from breaker boxes, golf balls - whatever and I could hit them from different rifle positions, and distances.
The Model 70 and standing took lots of doing for me , not being any bigger than I was to stand and shoot.
Kneeling, was, and still is my best shooting position with a rifle.
Shotguns:
Mentors "reminded me" I knew and and had been taught all the correct things, about shotguns, and when I hunted with one, I did well.
That shotgun did not have any beads btw...
One - I used a shotgun that fit me, and two, I was not thinking, instead letting my natural self take over.
I strolled out, grabbed gun that did not fit that day, and my Mentors did not say a word.
They knew what was going to happen, and it did.
"You really want to do shotguns and not do the rifle , then shut up, pay attention and remember the early lessons.
We are going back to square one, and starting all over.
After you heal up from them bruises, being sore and all..."
Gunny, understood, in fact he too was one that could shoot anything, really well.
"You know, I chew butt pretty good if I do say so myself, what I did for a living you understand, these Mentors are doing a great job, heck I might have to come out and chew on your skinny butt some with this shotgun bit- I sorta miss doing that..."
I had great Mentors & Elders, ladies and gents. They really cared about me, and others they assisted with.
The day I shot my first straight, was a big deal. Then 50, 75, 100.
The day I out shot a Mentor, was...a shock!
I out shot Gunny one day- and that old fart, opened the action of his shotgun, held it over his head and ran circles in the skeet field - then he tossed his hat and said for me to shoot it.
"You miss, I am going to kick your skinny butt".
I did not miss!
I would go hang out at the rifle / pistol range, where Gunny and others were assisting new folks. I would be offered to go the end of the line, where Gunny often shot, when he shot. Special place if you will.
"You want to shoot, use my .22" and he would let me use his gun and give me a box of shells.
"You going prone?"
"No sir, I always do my foot wrong, and you kick my foot and move me around, I will do kneeling for starters".
He laughed.
Rabbit season was on, and he had the kids , others gathered talking about something while I shot by myself.
Rabbit shot out of the brush, on this overcast day "Young'un! Tag 'em!
Running rabbit , me kneeling and I popped the rabbit in the head.
"Now, you folks pay attention, get the correct basics down, shoot a lot of quality practice and someday you too can do this"
Gunny holding the rabbit to show and make his point.
Then he cleaned the rabbit to show the kids how...he winked at me, and had that grin I knew meant he was not as grumpy a old fart as some thought.
Dove season approaching, Gunny was doing more shotgun stuff, often times I just pulled for him and did not shoot.
"Raised your head sir" I said once to him when he missed.
"Don't have to call me sir, you know that, I appreciate the respect, but around me and our kind, just don't.
Raised my head you said, you are probably right, pull it again, and watch me if you will".
